Magura child rape, murder case verdict on May 17

A Magura court yesterday set May 17 for delivering the verdict in the case filed over the rape and murder of an eight-year-old girl.

The trial proceedings were completed within 21 days of charges being framed.

Judge M Zahid Hasan of Magura Women and Children Repression Prevention Tribunal passed the order after arguments from the prosecution and the defence concluded, said Public Prosecutor Monirul Islam Mukul.

All four accused were present in court.

Given the gravity of the case, the home ministry appointed Ehsanul Haque Shomaji, a lawyer ranked as an attorney general, as a special prosecutor.

After the hearing, Shomaji told reporters, "The confessional statements, medical reports, and witness testimonies have provided undeniable proof against the accused. We expect the court will impose the highest penalty. This verdict should serve as a precedent, deterring such crimes in the future."

Speaking to The Daily Star, victim's mother said, "I hope my daughter's rapists receive the death penalty and that all those involved face the highest punishment. My daughter suffered until her last breath; they deserve the same kind of physical punishment."

PP Monirul said the prosecution presented 29 witnesses during the trial.

The accused were identified and questioned under section 342 of the Code of Criminal Procedure.

According to court sources, the recording of witness testimonies commenced on April 27.

The victim's sister's father-in-law has been charged under section 9/2 of the Women and Children's Violence Prevention Act (rape resulting in death). Her sister's husband and brother-in-law face charges under section 506 Part 2 of the Penal Code (criminal intimidation). Her sister's mother-in-law has been charged under section 201 of the Penal Code (tampering with evidence).

According to the charges, the rape took place in the early hours of March 6 this year.

On March 1, the child went to visit her elder sister's house. On March 6, she was taken to the Magura 250-bed District Hospital in an unconscious state around 11:30am.

Her mother filed a case with Magura Sadar Police Station under the Women and Children Repression Prevention Act on charges of rape and causing injury through rape on March 8.

Her sister's husband, brother-in-law, father-in-law, and mother-in-law were named as accused.

She died while undergoing treatment at the Combined Military Hospital in Dhaka on March 13.